Businesses across west Dorset have been announced as finalists in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

The awards received a record 773 entries from across the south west and up to five finalists have been announced in each category.

Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype is up for holiday park of the year, West Bay Discovery Centre is in the running for the new tourism business award and the Three Horseshoes Pub and Kitchen in Burton Bradstock is a finalist in the pub of the year category.

Bridport Tourist Information Centre is commended in the visitor information service of the year category, as is Jurassic Coast Guides for the international tourism award.

Around 50 judges spent weeks looking at entry forms, websites, social media and review sites, as well as carrying out 559 business visits, most of them unannounced mystery visits. Reports and recommendations were then submitted to an independent panel which made the final decisions.

Jeremy Mitchell, marketing and communications director at headline sponsor St Austell Brewery, said: “We are delighted to sponsor this year’s South West Tourism Awards - an annual celebration of excellence in tourism across the region.

“The west country has so many businesses and individuals that deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to tourism and world class hospitality.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists.”

The awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner in Exeter Cathedral on February 5 where the businesses will find out if they have won gold, silver or bronze trophies. Some will also be nominated to represent the south west in the national VisitEngland awards.

Robin Barker, director of Service for Tourism Ltd, which manage the awards, said: “Our team members continue to be humbled by the excellence and ambition we see amongst our leading tourism businesses. They continue to invest, innovate and improve - and I offer them all our congratulations.”

A full list of finalists can be found at southwesttourismawards.org.uk.